Your First Time Wearing Contact Lenses: A Beginner's Guide

Switching from glasses to contact lenses for the first time can feel like a big step, but it doesn't need to be a difficult one. Most new wearers are inserting and removing their lenses confidently within a few days, and the vast majority of early struggles come down to a handful of common, easily fixed mistakes. This guide walks through what to expect, how to get started safely, and which lenses are typically easiest for beginners — with input from our partner optometrist, Peter Merrett, who has spent over 25 years fitting contact lenses for first-time wearers.

Before You Start: You Need a Contact Lens Fitting, Not Just a Glasses Prescription

This is the single most important thing to know before wearing contact lenses for the first time: your glasses prescription is not the same as a contact lens prescription. Contact lenses sit directly on the surface of your eye, so a proper fitting also measures your corneal curvature, pupil size, and tear film quality — details a glasses prescription doesn't capture. In Australia, contact lenses are classified as medical devices, and a valid prescription from a registered optometrist is required by law before you can be supplied with lenses.

If you haven't had a contact lens fitting before, book one with your regular optometrist or with our partner optometrist Peter Merrett, who is available during business hours to answer questions about getting started. He can also advise on which lens type is likely to suit your eyes, wearing pattern, and any specific concerns like dryness or sensitivity.

What to Expect in Your First Few Days

It's completely normal for your eyes to need a short adjustment period when you first start wearing contact lenses. Mild awareness of the lens, occasional dryness, or slight redness in the first few days is common and usually settles as your eyes adapt. According to Alcon, roughly one in five new contact lens wearers discontinue within the first three weeks — and the most common reasons cited are poor vision, discomfort, and handling difficulty, not an underlying inability to wear lenses. In other words, most early dropout is avoidable with the right lens choice and a bit of patience while your technique improves.

What is not normal: persistent pain, significant redness, discharge, or noticeably blurred vision that doesn't improve. If you experience any of these, remove your lenses immediately and contact your optometrist. This applies throughout your time as a contact lens wearer, not just the first few weeks.

Learning to Insert and Remove Your Lenses

Handling technique is the biggest hurdle for most beginners, and it genuinely does get easier with repetition. A few practical tips:

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses every single time — this is the single most effective thing you can do to avoid eye infections. Use a mirror and good lighting, and work over a clean, flat surface in case a lens drops. When inserting, balance the lens on your fingertip so it forms a clean bowl shape (not inside-out), use your other hand to hold your eyelids open, and look slightly upward or into a fixed point on the mirror as you place the lens on the white of your eye before letting it settle over the pupil. To remove soft lenses, look upward, gently pull down your lower eyelid, and pinch the lens between your thumb and forefinger to lift it away.

If a lens folds, sticks, or feels uncomfortable during insertion, don't force it — blink a few times, rewet if needed, and try again. Most beginners find the process takes a few minutes in the first days and only a few seconds within a couple of weeks.

Good Habits from Day One

A few simple habits will make your transition to contact lenses smoother and safer:

Follow your replacement schedule exactly. Daily lenses are discarded every night, no exceptions — reusing them significantly increases infection risk even if they still look fine. Reusable lenses (fortnightly or monthly) should be cleaned and stored in fresh solution every night, never topped up with old solution.

Don't sleep in your lenses unless your optometrist has specifically prescribed them for extended or overnight wear. Never rinse lenses or your lens case with tap water. Avoid wearing lenses while swimming or showering unless you're using daily disposables specifically for that purpose, as tap and pool water can introduce microorganisms that cause serious eye infections. Keep a pair of glasses on hand for when your eyes need a break, particularly in the early weeks.

Which Contact Lenses Suit First-Time Wearers Best?

While your optometrist will make the final call based on your individual eyes and prescription, daily disposable lenses are generally the easiest starting point for beginners. There's no cleaning routine to learn, no solution to manage, and a fresh, sterile lens every single day reduces the margin for error while you're still building good habits.

At BuyContactsOnline.com.au, lenses frequently recommended as accessible starting points for new wearers include:

PRECISION1, Alcon's daily disposable lens built with SmartSurface Technology, designed specifically to address the comfort and handling issues that commonly cause new wearers to give up early. You can read more in our dedicated PRECISION1 guide for first-time wearers.

1 Day Acuvue Moist, one of Australia's most widely prescribed daily disposables, offering reliable everyday comfort at an accessible price point — a solid, well-established option for beginners.

Dailies AquaComfort Plus, Alcon's everyday daily disposable, built with moisture-releasing technology and commonly recommended for wearers with standard prescriptions who are trying contact lenses for the first time.

If your prescription includes astigmatism or presbyopia correction, daily disposable toric and multifocal versions are also available across these ranges — ask our partner optometrist which specific lens matches your prescription.

Ordering Your First Contact Lenses Online

Once you've had your fitting and know your prescription, ordering through BuyContactsOnline.com.au is straightforward. You'll enter your prescription details — including base curve, power, and (if relevant) cylinder and axis for astigmatism — at checkout. If anything in your order needs clarification, our optometrist may contact you directly before dispatch.

As a 100% Australian-owned and operated retailer, we offer competitive pricing, same-day dispatch for orders placed before 10am Monday to Friday, and free Express Post on orders of four or more boxes. We're registered with all major Australian private health funds (Provider Number 2413719K), so if your health insurance includes optical extras, you can claim part of the cost — see our health fund rebates page for details.

Once you've settled on a lens that works for you, our recurring order service can schedule automatic deliveries so you never have to remember to reorder — a genuinely useful habit to build once you're past the initial adjustment period.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get used to contact lenses?

Most new wearers feel comfortable inserting and removing their lenses within a few days to two weeks. Full adaptation to wearing them comfortably throughout the day can take a little longer, but persistent pain or discomfort beyond the first couple of weeks should always be checked by your optometrist.

Are daily disposable lenses better for beginners?

Daily disposables are generally recommended as the easiest starting point, since there's no cleaning routine to manage and a fresh lens every day reduces the risk of handling errors while you're still building good habits. Your optometrist can confirm whether a daily lens suits your specific prescription and eyes.

What if I can't get the lens in on my first try?

This is completely normal. Wash your hands, take a breath, and try again — most beginners need several attempts across the first few sessions before it becomes easy. If you're still struggling after a few days, your optometrist can check your technique and offer tips specific to your eyes.

Do I need a different prescription for contact lenses than for glasses?

Yes. Contact lenses require a separate fitting and prescription from your optometrist, since they measure additional details like corneal curvature and tear film that a glasses prescription doesn't capture.

Can I get help choosing my first pair of contact lenses?

Yes. Our partner optometrist, Peter Merrett, has more than 25 years of experience fitting contact lenses and is available during business hours to help first-time wearers choose the right lens for their prescription and lifestyle. Call 03 9510 2045 or email contacts@buycontactsonline.com.au.

Ready to Get Started?

Once you've had your contact lens fitting, browse our range of daily contact lenses to find a beginner-friendly option, or get in touch with our team for personalised advice. Order yours today, or call us on 03 9510 2045 or email contacts@buycontactsonline.com.au with any questions.